Opposed jaw latch



June 2, 1970 L. R. POE ET AL 3,515,421

.OPPOSED JAW LATCH Filed Sept. 16. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 25 25 F1625 F161- q is FIc -J I lzoya/im/meo P05 dwzs E 580 CKWAJ INVENTOR-5 June 2,1970 POE ET AL 3,515,421

OPPOSED JAW LATCH Filed Sept. 16, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 LLOYD E/CHAED E95 JAMES E 5900K WA I NVENTOR ATToE/vE/s United States Patent 3,515,421 OPPOSED JAW LATCH Lloyd Richard Poe, Beverly Hills, and James E. Brockway, Venice, Calif., assignors to Hartwell Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 673,034, Oct. 5, 1967. This application Sept. 16, 1968, Ser.

Int. Cl. Ec 3/06 US. Cl. 292-49 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A latch having opposed pivotally connected keeper jalws which are moved longitudinally in a housing between an extended open position to receive and release a latch pin; an intermediate position yieldable to pressure exerted by the latch pin to receive and retain the latch pin, and a retracted position securing the latch pin; the keeper jaws being manipulated by a transversely extending operating member which may be joined to another operating member whereby two or more latches may be operated simultaneously to engage corresponding latch pins.

This invention is a continuation-in-part of our previous application entitled: Opposed Jaw Latch, filed Oct. 5, 1967, Ser. No. 673,034, now abandoned.

Summary of the invention This invention relates to opposed jaw latches, more particularly to latches of this type in which a set of the latches may be operated in unison to engage or release a corresponding set of latch pins, the latch being particularly adapted for securing aircraft cowling or other closures which must be secured at a plurality of points.

Included in the objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a latch which, when used in a set, permits simultaneous release of all the corresponding latch pins, yet permitting simultaneous or sequential automatic re-engagement of the latch pins upon mechanical movement of the latch pins into the latches; then permitting final simultaneous locking of all the latch pins.

Second, to provide an opposed jaw latch which incorporates a novelly arranged pair of keeper members pivotally connected to each other and urged by a spring toward a closed position, the keeper members being separable by the camming action of a pointed latch pin which is then engaged and held by the keeper members.

Third, to provide a latch indicated in the second object which utilizes a novelly arranged means including cam surfaces on the keeper members and an operating slide for opening the keeper members to receive or release the latch pin.

Fourth, to provide a latch, as indicated in the preceding objects, which utilizes means also including the keeper members and the operating slide whereby the keeper members are secured in a closed position locking the latch pin.

Description of the figures FIG. 1 is a side view of the opposed jaw latch, shown in its latched position.

FIG. 2 is a similar view, with the front housing member removed, and portions in section, showing a latch pin secured in the latch.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, with the latch in its pre-latched condition, in which the latch pin may be forced into engagement with the latch.

FIG. 4 is a similar partial sectional view, showing the keeper jaws in their open position to receive or release the latch pin.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the opposed jaw latch, taken from 55 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view thereof, taken through 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a modified form of the latch, shown in its closed position.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4, showing the modified form of the latch in its open position.

Reference is first directed to FIGS. 1 through 6. The opposed jaw latch herein illustrated includes two complementary housing members 1, each in the fonn of a channel having side flanges 2, joined by a web 3. The two housing members are secured together with the side flanges in abutment by means of tubular fasteners 4. The confronting edges of the side flanges '2 are notched so as to form slide receiving slots 5, corresponding in Width to the spacing of the side flanges 2.

The slots 5 receive a slide 6 in the form of a flat strap, the ends of which are provided with eyelets 7 for connection to an operating member, not shown, or to a similar slide of a second opposed jaw latch. Formed in the slide 6 is a stepped slot 8 having a horizontally extending locking land 9, an offset parallel pre-latch land 10, joined by a sloping cam portion 11. A second sloping cam portion 12 extends from the pre-latch land. The slot 8 receives a keeper operating pin 13 which also serves as a pivot pin. The extremities of the pin 13 extend through slots 14 formed in the webs 3 of the housing members 1 between the fasteners 4.

Mounted in the housing members 1, which define a tube rectangular in cross section, is a pair of keeper levers 15 which are channel shaped in cross section forming side flanges 16 and webs 17. The side flanges of each lever continue around one end and form a keeper jaw 18. The two jaws confront each other and define a common latch pin opening 19.

Approximately midway between the ends of the keeper levers, the side flanges 16 are provided with overlapping hinge ears 20 which pivot on the pin 13. Between the keeper jaws 18 and the adjacent fastener 4, the side flanges 16 form clearance slots 21 to receive the fastener, and the extremities of the clearance slot, remote from the keeper jaws, form cam faces 22 which bear against the corresponding fastener 4 to spread the keeper jaws 18.

Between the pin 13 and the other fastener 4, the confronting portions of the side flanges 16 form locking shoulders 23 which bear against the corresponding fastener 4. The keeper levers project beyond the lower fastener, as viewed in the drawings, and are provided with spring retainer lugs 24, between which extends a spring 25.

The right end portion of the slide 6, as viewed in the drawings, is provided with a slot 26 in which extends a retainer tongue 27. The slot 26 receives a spring 28.

The opposed jaw latch cooperates with a latch pin 29 which includes a shank 30 that may be screwthreaded so that the position of the latch pin may be adjusted. The shank terminates in an enlargement 31 which forms a shoulder 32. The extremity of the enlargement is tapered to form a conical cam face 33.

Operation of the opposed jaw latch is as follows:

While a single latch and latch pin may be used, it is intended that a set of latches and latch pins be used. The latch pins normally being mounted in the side of a door or panel and the latches in the corresponding margin of the surrounding frame. The slides 6 of the series of a latches are joined together by suitable links, not shown, which include means for connection to a suitable handle.

When the slide is in the extreme right position, represented in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the keeper levers 15 are in their lower position with the pivot pin 13 in the locking land 9. In this position, the shoulders 23 bear against opposite sides of the lower fastener 4 which prevents the keeper jaws 18 from separating and freeing the latch pin 29 located therebetween. When the slide 6 is moved to the left from the position shown in FIG. 2, to the position shown in FIG. 3, the keeper levers 15 are raised and the pivot pin 13 is received in the pre-latch land 10. The term pre-latch is used to indicate that although the keeper jaws 18 are held in their closed position by the spring 25, the locking shoulders 23 are clear of the lower fastener 4 so that the keeper jaws 18 may be spread apart if the conical cam face 33 of the latch pin is forced downwardly between the jaws, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 3.

If the slide 6 is moved further to the left, from the position shown in FIG. 3, to the position shown in FIG. 4, the cam faces 22 ride against opposite sides of the upper fastener 4, spreading the keeper jaws 18 until they clear the enlargement 31 of the latch pin. It is preferred that this condition is obtained only by forcing the slide 6 to the left against the action of the return spring 28 so that normally the slide occupies the position shown in *FIG. 3.

Reference is now directed to FIGS. 7 and 8. The construction here shown is in most respects similar to the construction shown in FIGS. 1 through 6; the essential difference is that the modified latch has two positions in place of three; that is, the intermediate position is eliminated and consequently the latch pin need not have the conical cam end 33.

. More particularly, a latch pin 34 is substituted for the latch pin 30. The latch pin 34 may be provided with a screwthreaded shank 35 and an enlarged head 36, forming a shoulder 37, which need not be provided with the conical end 33.

In order to eliminate the intermediate position, a slide 38 is substituted for the slide 6. In place of the stepped slot 8, a slot 39 is provided which has offset parallel extremities 40 and 41, joined by a sloping cam portion 42.

Operation of the modified latch is as follows:

When the latch is open, as shown in FIG. 8, the jaws are spread sufiiciently to receive the latch pin 34. When the latch is closed, as shown in FIG. 7, the jaws secure the latch pin.

It will, of course, be observed that, is in regard to both structures, the relative movement of the latch pin and jaws is the same whether the latch pin or the jaws constitute the moving part of the latch; that is, the latch pin may be fixed and the remaining elements of the latch move as a unit to and from the latch pin, or the latch pin may be movable.

The present embodiments of this invention are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

We claim:

1. An opposed jaw latch adapted to engage a latch member having an engageable surface, said latch comprising:

(a) a pair of keeper jaws mounted in pivoted relation for movement to and from each other to engage said latch member;

(b) a fixed housing for said keeper jaws;

() means for effecting translating movement of the keeper jaws in unison relative to said housing between an extended and a retracted position to effect movement toward and away from the latch member;

(d) and means incorporating said housing and said keeper jaws for spreading said keeper jaws as they approach their extended position to pass said latch member and for closing and locking said keeper jaws on said latch member as they approach their retracted position.

2. An opposed jaw latch, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) a spring urges said jaws toward their closed position;

(b) and said jaws are movable through an intermediate 4 position clearing said spreading and closing means, to permit forceable insertion of said latch member.

3. An opposed jaw latch, comprising:

(a) a latch pin having a jaw retention shoulder;

(b) a pair of keeper jaws mounted in relatively pivoted relation for movement to and from each other to engage said latch pin;

(c) a housing for said keeper jaws;

(d) means for elfecting translatory movement of said keeper jaws in unison relative to said housing and along the axis of said latch pin;

(e) a first means incorporating said housing and said keeper jaws for spreading said keeper jaws to pass said latch pin, when said latch jaws are in one extreme position relative to said housing;

(f) and a second means incorporating said housing and said keeper jaws for locking said keeper jaws onto said latch pin to engage said shoulder when said latch jaws are in their opposite extreme position relative to said housing.

4. An opposed jaw latch, as defined in claim 3, wherein:

(a) a yieldable means urges said keeper jaws toward each other;

(b) said keeper jaws adapted to be disposed in an intermediate position relative to said housing, clearing said first and second means whereby said latch pin may be forced between the keeper jaws.

5. A latch, as defined in claim 3, wherein:

(a) said keeper jaws are formed at one end of a pair of levers pivot pin connected to each other intermediate their ends;

(b) said translatory movement means includes a slide extending transversely with respect to said keeper jaw levers and said housing and having a slot receiving said pivot pin and extending generally in sloping relation to the axis of movement ofsaid slide.

6. A latch, as defined in claim 5, wherein:

(a) said spreading means includes cam elements carried by said keeper jaw levers, and bearing elements carried by said housing;

(b) said locking means includes stop engaging elements carried by said keeper jaw levers, and stop elements carried by said housing.

7. A latch, as defined in claim 3, wherein:

(a) said housing is tubular and essentially rectangular in cross section, and a pair of fastener pins extend transversely therethrough;

(b) said keeper jaws are formed at one end of a pair of levers of channel shaped cross section, and pivot pin connected intermediate their ends;

(c) said translatory movement means includes a slide extending transversely through said housing and keeper jaw levers and having an angularly disposed slot engaging said pivot pin.

8. A latch, as defined in claim 7, wherein:

(a) said spreading means include cam elements formed by confronting edges of said keeper jaw levers and opposite sides of one of said fastener pins;

(b) said locking means include steps formed by confronting edges of said keeper jaw levers and opposite sides of the other of said fasteners pins.

9. An opposed jaw latch, said latch comprising:

(a) a latch member;

(b) a housing of essentially rectangular cross section and open at one end;

to) a pair of fastener pins traversing said housing;

(d) a pair of lever members disposed on opposite sides of said fastener pins and forming opposed keeper jaws at one end, said lever members being channel shaped in cross section to form side flanges pivot pin connected together between said fastener pins;

(e) said side flanges having opposed cam edges engaging one of said fastener pins to spread said keeper jaws to receive and release said latch member;

(f) said side flanges also having opposed stops engaging the other fastener pin to lock said keeper jaws on said latch member;

(g) and operating means for moving said lever members longitudinally in said housing between a position locking said keeper jaws on said latch member and a position clearing said latch member.

10. A latch, as defined in claim 9, wherein:

(a) said housing is provided with longitudinal slots receiving said pivot pin;

(b) and said operating means includes a slide extend ing between said fastener pins and through said lever members and housing;

(c) said slide having a slot to receive said pin and defining offset extreme portions to place said keeper jaws in their unlocked position or in their locked position and an angular portion connecting said olfset portions to permit movement of said keeper jaws between said positions.

11. A latch, as defined in claim 9, wherein:

(a) said operating means is also operable to move said lever members to an intermediate position;

(b) yieldable means is operable at said intermediate position to close said jaws;

(c) said latch member having cam means to spread said jaws when said lever members are in their intermediate position.

12. A latch, as defined in claim 11, wherein:

(a) said housing is provided with longitudinal slots receiving said pivot pin;

(b) and said operating means includes a slide extending between said fastener pins and through said lever members and housing;

(c) said slide having a slot to receive said pivot pin and defining offset portions cooperating with said pivot pin to place said keeper jaws in their unlocked position, in their locked position or in an intermediate yieldable position, and angular portions connecting said offset portions to permit movement of said keeper jaws between said positions;

(d) and a first yieldable means urges said keeper jaws toward each other, and a second yieldable means urges said keeper jaws toward said intermediate po sition.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,150,500 8/1915 Chab 294-83 1,297,284 3/1919 Wisnicwski 7070 2,061,083 11/1936 Niomi 294-116 2,364,897 12/1944 Grigsby 2941 15 2,446,113 7/1948 Spiller 292-30 2,817,492 12/1957 Case 25424 3,146,846 9/ 1964 Gutshall 180-82 FOREIGN PATENTS 464,028 6/1951 Italy.

25 RICHARD E. MOORE, Primary Examiner R. L. WOLFE, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

